Жанры литературного творчества Дени Дидро: эссе, диалоги, повести, художественные очерки

Abstract

The aim of the study is to reveal the key features of literary genres in Denis Diderot’s works. Diderot was one of the most prominent figures in French culture – philosopher, novelist, dramatist and art theorist, who made a significant contribution to the literary enlightenment of the French society. The scientific novelty of this research lies in carrying out a comprehensive analysis and determining the originality of Diderot’s literary criticism contribution to the development and formation of such literary genres of the Enlightenment as literary essays, dialogues, moral tales, artistic and critic essays, which became a historical and literary phenomenon of that period. Diderot’s writings are studied within the dynamics of his ideas, and this approach allows us to define him as a versatile person and sophisticated thinker-encyclopaedist. The results of the research prove that Diderot as a paradoxical figure of the French Enlightenment experimented with the genres incorporating the ordinary into the theoretical, literary and philosophical contexts that had a significant influence on the existing literary genres and provided the emergence of new ones in the XVIII century. Denis Diderot’s works are of educational nature as he managed to influence the public opinion and helped the thinking viewers and readers to form judgements on issues of universal significance for humanity based on common sense.